Cape Breton's Celtic Colours festival opts for online version in October

SaltWire Network

Published: May 21 at 9:39 a.m.

Updated: May 21 at 9:46 a.m.

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Natalie MacMaster and Betty Lou Beaton perform together at the opening night concert of the 2018 Celtic Colours International Festival in Port Hawkesbury. Festival organizers have announced they will present a livestreaming edition of the annual event in October due to uncertainty about travel and large gathering restrictions in the fall. - Stephen Cooke

Given the choice between either cancelling for this year due to COVID-19 concerns or moving to an online model to stay in touch with its audience, Cape Breton’s Celtic Colours International Festival will be livestreaming its performers in October, with plans to rise again as a live concert event around the island in 2021.

Festival organizers have consulted with public officials, and even though October is months away, the uncertain immediate future for travel and large gatherings has led them to use modern technology to bring traditional music to the audience with Celtic Colours International Festival at Home from Oct. 9 to 17.

Celtic Colours has already been livestreaming select events to viewers worldwide in recent years, and will be working again with long-time partners Novastream to present a series of nightly performances and stories from Cape Breton.

“We will certainly miss hosting guests and artists from around the world and sharing our hospitality, scenery, and culture as we have done for the past 23 years,” said festival executive director Mike MacSween in a news release. “And we recognize that this situation has far-reaching impacts on the island’s tourism and economy, but we will struggle together to make the best of our circumstances.

“With the expertise of our team in delivering a world-class festival and high-quality livestream content, I am confident that we will deliver a great experience to our many fans at home, no matter where home is. We can build new audience this year, and excite them about the possibility of returning to our island for the festival next October.”

Since 1997 Celtic Colours has brought thousands of visitors from dozens of countries to enjoy events in more than 60 island communities, with a host of East Coast, Canadian and international artists performing and collaborating around the clock.

Experiencing Cape Breton hospitality is as vital a part of the festival as the musical and cultural components, and MacSween acknowledges that moving online in 2020 is a difficult decision, but a necessary one for the health and safety of attendees, artists and festival staff and volunteers.

“It will be a different kind of experience than we are used to,” he said, “but we know how important music and the arts are to people in difficult times. And as a Festival built on culture and tradition, we feel it is important to maintain that connection.”

More details about performers and online events will be released over the summer months leading up to Celtic Colours International Festival at Home, Oct. 9 to 17.